President Ersin Tatar issued a message on the occasion of the 106th anniversary of the Çanakkale Victory.


“Çanakkale cannot be passed, the TRNC cannot be renounced”


“We mark the 106th anniversary of the Çanakkale Victory which the heroic Turkish army won against the strongest armies of the world and the imperialist powers, where many lives were lost.  Whilst this great victory offers hope and enlightenment for the world's captive nations and oppressed peoples, it has also been a source of strength and inspiration to the Turkish Cypriot people in their struggle for freedom and independence.

With the strength and inspiration drawn from this great victory, our people have been struggling for a century to protect their own freedom and sovereignty in these lands, and to prevent trampling upon the honour of Turkishness.

The expression “Çanakkale cannot be passed” is not just an expression, but a declaration  of the Turkish nation's determination to put forward strong resistance as well as its passion for freedom and independence. It is a strong expression to highlight that these lands cannot be divided and occupied. This is a statement heralding the establishment of the Republic of Turkey.


With the strength and inspiration derived from the Çanakkale Victory, Turkish Cypriot people resisted and endured all the difficulties, made great sacrifices and were able to establish their own state in their own homeland with the support and assistance of Motherland Turkey.  They sacrificed their lives for their country. Our children were martyred in these lands, as they did in Çanakkale. For these reasons, it is our obligation to the martyrs to protect our homeland, state, freedom and sovereignty. Whatever the cost, we will protect and preserve these values which are entrusted to us by our martyrs. The whole world should know this reality.


Whilst preparations are still continuing for the five-plus-UN informal meeting on the Cyprus issue to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, between April 27-29, on the 106th anniversary of the Çanakkale Victory, I would like to reiterate that we will not step back from our policy of a settlement model that is based on the sovereign equality of two States that are in a cooperative relationship.  This settlement model is supported by Motherland Turkey,  the most powerful and biggest country in the region, and is the most realistic model that would be beneficial for Cyprus and the region.  Our people cannot tolerate another 50 years in pursuit of a federal solution.

Whilst paying respects and commemorating the Çanakkale martyrs and all our martyrs, I once again state that Çanakkale cannot be passed and the TRNC cannot be renounced.”